The Tomah Health Community Foundation is supporting child development while strengthening families in Monroe County.
Members of the foundation donated $3,000 to The Parenting Place of LaCrosse which provides weekly play groups for parents, caregivers and young children at Recreation Station in Tomah.
“That’s something that we always underestimate is the power of play because there’s so much developmental skills that happen in play,” said Alia Henrichsen, fund development director of The Parenting Place. “The socialization aspect of it, the interaction between those functional skills for picking up blocks and running around and all that is really crucial for kids, especially as they’re developing.”
Henrichsen said the play groups are also important for the parents and grandparents who accompany their children. “I’ve heard from parents finding that they’ve had friendships that now are lasting throughout their child’s growth and development. A lot of our past participants are still really good friends with one another, and they’ve created these lifelong friendships, and they feel less isolated and more connected, which is really what we’re trying to do with these groups.”
In the last couple of years, Henrichsen said attendance has increased reaching a record number of over 500 families attending the programs. “We’ve seen such an uptick, especially after the COVID pandemic, and that’s because we’ve realized the importance of socialization connection. These opportunities, like playgroup, might seem like just kids are playing and not a huge deal, but it really is because it’s getting these parents connected with one another. It’s letting them know that they’re not alone with what their children might be going through or what they’re going through as parents.” The Tomah playgroup is held every Monday from 9:30 a.m.– 10:30 a.m. at Recreation Station, 316 Arthur St., Tomah.
Foundation president Brian Eirschele said the donation supports the mission of the foundation to help not-for-profit organizations that enhance the health and wellness of residents in Monroe County. “Our mission is health associated and we see the parenting group as benefiting the parents of the community and of course their children. So, it was an easy one for us to all agree on and give them the support,” added Eirschele.
“We rely on community partners and especially generous community partners like the foundation to continue access for the programming for parents in the community,” added Henrichsen.